What Verdica's 796 score means for Ben Coughlan
Ben Coughlan's composite score of 796 out of 850 places him in the "strong" performance band (740–799). This score reflects a legal provider with solid regulatory standing and a track record that does not raise significant compliance red flags based on available state bar data.
A score in this range indicates that a provider has met licensing requirements, maintained good bar standing, and has not accumulated disciplinary issues that would suggest systemic problems or pattern violations. For someone evaluating legal services, a 796 suggests a provider you can reasonably approach with confidence, though not in the very top tier of the scoring scale. The score is meaningful precisely because it is not inflated—it reflects real regulatory oversight, not marketing claims.
It's worth noting that no independent customer reviews are currently indexed for this entity, so the score is built entirely on regulator-maintained records. That means the assessment reflects compliance with professional standards as monitored by Florida's bar, not client satisfaction or case outcomes. These are separate dimensions of quality.
How the sub-scores break down
Bar Standing (790/850): This sub-score measures whether the provider holds an active license and is in good standing with the Florida Bar. A score of 790 is very strong in this dimension. It indicates no suspension, disbarment, or active licensing restrictions. Minor points may be deducted for issues like administrative compliance lapses or periodic renewal concerns, but these do not materially impair the provider's ability to practice.
Disciplinary History (850/850): This is a perfect score. It means no substantiated disciplinary actions have been recorded against this provider in Florida Bar records during the period tracked. In the legal industry, a clean disciplinary history is a baseline expectation, but it is also meaningful—it shows the provider has not been found to have violated ethics rules, mishandled client funds, engaged in malpractice-triggering conduct, or failed to meet professional standards as adjudicated by the bar.
Practice Profile (700/850): This is the lowest of the three sub-scores, though still in the acceptable-to-strong range. Practice Profile typically captures elements like years of active practice, scope of practice areas, and whether the provider maintains required insurance or compliance certifications. A score of 700 suggests the provider is actively licensed and practicing, but may have a narrower scope, shorter tenure, or missing certain optional credentials or certifications that would elevate the score. This does not indicate a deficiency—only that there may be less breadth or depth in the documented practice record compared to the top tier.
What regulators in FL track for legal providers
Florida's Bar maintains disciplinary records that track professional conduct violations, including misappropriation of client funds, failure to provide competent representation, conflicts of interest, dishonesty, and violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct. The bar also monitors licensing status, continuing legal education compliance, and whether providers have been subject to complaints, investigations, or sanctions.
Practice history records captured by regulators include active practice status, areas of practice, length of licensure, and sometimes malpractice insurance and trust account compliance. Verdica uses these regulatory data sources—not private databases, marketing materials, or litigation records—to compute scores. An increase in disciplinary actions, license restrictions, or ethics violations would lower a score; conversely, a sustained clean record and active practice in good standing will support a higher score.
Bottom line
Ben Coughlan's 796 score reflects strong regulatory compliance and no disciplinary record on file with Florida's Bar. This is a solid foundation for someone considering legal services. Before engaging, you should still verify that his practice areas match your needs, confirm current licensing status independently via the Florida Bar website, and consider whether independent references or client reviews are available—since the score itself does not capture client experience or case results.